++ AUGUSTUS b'RAASS ++ pre-heresy BRASS SCORPION p.247

[misterkho]

Please name the next model Dino Kho. Bastard from Terra.

[Mechanist]

the librarian is looking good and the new arm suits him.

Loving the fluff for the centurions and how it's implimented.

[gaurdian31]

Centurions look great. I really like the lens on the amps. Looks like the librarians is calling down the lightning. Looks good. He'll look even better painted up.

[KrautScientist]

You did what you could with those clunky Centurions, buddy, and the finished models are rather lovely. Really appreciate the fluff as well!

 

Looking forward to seeing the Librarian painted -- there's something about the classic model you have chosen as a base that I really enjoy, and the tweaked pose should work rather beautifully! Any OSL glow planned for him?

[Augustus b'Raass]

Thanks, guys, and apologies for not replying sooner. Things have been somewhat hectic last week. I purposefully didn't plan anything today to have some R&R and do some painting. Which turned out to be an absolute pleasure - this old style Librarian miniature has so much character to bring out - and for it being a late '90's miniature that had been painted and stripped, it had surprisingly sharp details! 

 

I ended up cutting away quite a bit of the wrist area of the balled fist bit, to try and sync the scale of his plastic arm with that of his right - comparing these old metal miniatures with modern plastic bits is a great way of realizing how much the scale creep has affected GW Space Marine miniatures over the years.

 

Anyway, this miniature was just heaps of fun to paint. I've indulged my buddy Dean, above, with the name. Without further ado, please welcome:

 

Epistolary - Daeno Kho - misterkho

The bastard child of no great height from an impoverished Terran noble House, Epistolary Kho grew up in a harsh environment. A creative youngster, he managed to impress a visiting Imperial Fists emissary with a few sleight of hand tricks. The Space Marine stopped him, and asked him questions about his life and his abilities. When next he visited, Daeno Kho was ordered to say goodbye to his life, and taken to the Phalanx. There, he was to be inducted straight into the Librarius of the Imperial Fists Chapter. He was tested harshly, but after years of training and overcoming his small stature, he emerged a skilled Space Marine and a disciplined Psyker in his own right. Specializing in Divination and Prescience Psykic disciplines to aid countermeasures to surprise orbital attacks, it is with some irony that Epistolary Kho has recently been embedded with an Orbital Destroyer Contingent, including a squad of the new Centurion warsuits.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpsagc8t6vr.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zps7dwvczxi.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpsmql5qhrz.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpsot1xi7t0.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpshjxe4v2y.jpg

 

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpsuka4peqr.jpg

 

I also thought it'd be nice to show him with my last most recent addition to my Imperial Fists force, the Centurions:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpsfde36zys.jpg

 

And of course, with their transport! The Librarian will be aiding this Alpha Strike unit by casting the Divination Discipline's third power, Perfect TIming, which gives the unit Ignores Cover. Enjoy the reek of Stilton.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpswlbfa3na.jpg

 

Anyway, I hope you like this guys as much as I enjoyed painting him! Happy Easter everyone

 

Replies:

 

@ The Traitor: I have another box of Centurions, and I might indeed build them as Siege Breakers - while they may be slow, 9 S10 AP1 attacks on the charge will make even Imperial Knights fear them. 

 

@ Biohazard: Fromage galore, no? Absolute Gorgonzola.

 

@ misterkho: Your wish is my command, buddy! I have named him after you, and wrote some fluff that reflects how I feel about your play style.

 

@ Mechanist: Cheers! I hope you like the fluff for the libby too

 

@ guardian31: Thanks, mate. The lenses are actually not difficult at all - Duncan from Warhammer TV has a great tutorial on them.

 

@ KrautScientist: Thanks, friend About the classic models: I know right? Trippy through memory lane. I have indeed used an OSL effect to relay his psychic ability, around his staff, Psychic Hood, and in his eyes. I'm thinking maybe I should also do it in his left balled fist? What do you think?

Edited April 17, 2017 by Augustus b'Raass

[The Traitor]

Great looking model, I really like how the staff turned out! Also, could you send a pic of him besides a modern marine to see the scale difference? I've seen a couple of deathwatch marines besides regular marines pics which show it pretty clear, but don't think I've seen an old marine with a newer one... He does look tiny compared to the centurions though ;)!

[Augustus b'Raass]

Thanks buddy. Your request for comparison pics was interesting. Here they are: 

 

Next to a regular marine. Now, although they appear very similarly in height, the scale difference becomes obvious when you compare their pose: the librarian stands relatively upright, while the marine is has that familiar marine crouch. When you look at their shin armour, the difference is starkly seen: that of the modern marine is at least 15% larger!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpso7r0arrh.jpg

 

Compared to the BaC Chaplain, the difference is less obvious, interestingly. Although that model's legs are quite wide apart.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpsndcze6cc.jpg

 

But the biggest difference is with my Captain model, which is based on Nathaniel Garro's miniature. The librarian looks like a teenager compared to a grown adult!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpskej4ws9k.jpg

 

Cheers!

[Biohazard]

He looks great buddy, really cool to see the comparison pics as well, if only to have another gander at your awesome HQ's :tu:

[lionofjudah]

Whoa!! That's a great paint job Augustus! The left arm looks great with the super pudgy 90's sausage fingers of the right hand.

I didn't realize 3 centurions and a Libby could ride in a drop pod!?!? That's kinda awesome

[Mitsman]

Love that Captain Augustus. Simple but dynamic and elegant. That librarian though... I have the same model and although the details are very nice and the pose is relatively calm which I like, the smaller scale does not let me start painting him.

 

Mitsman

[The Traitor]

Thanks a lot for the pics, great characters by the way ;). You can also see the difference in the legs, the old librarian looks quite skinny besides any of the three!

It is interesting to see how GW is making bigger marines each time, no wonder they got changed to a larger base...

Edited April 16, 2017 by The Traitor

[Augustus b'Raass]

He looks great buddy, really cool to see the comparison pics as well, if only to have another gander at your awesome HQ's

Haha thanks, mate! I realize I haven't done a lot of character models for my Imperial Fists. This will change, as I recently had a bit of a Librarian buying spree.... 

 

Whoa!! That's a great paint job Augustus! The left arm looks great with the super pudgy 90's sausage fingers of the right hand.

I didn't realize 3 centurions and a Libby could ride in a drop pod!?!? That's kinda awesome

Cheers, buddy! Yeah, those fingers are huge, aren't they?! A Centurion has the Very Bulky special rule, meaning they count as three models for Transport Capacity, so three of them allow one more model in a Drop Pod. The only problem with that is that they cannot take Drop Pods as a dedicated transport, which means they cannot take them when they're part of the Gladius Strike Force or Demi-Company, so if you go for that option, you have to take a secondary CAD. 

 

Love that Captain Augustus. Simple but dynamic and elegant. That librarian though... I have the same model and although the details are very nice and the pose is relatively calm which I like, the smaller scale does not let me start painting him.

 

Mitsman

Thanks, but... what's keeping you, exactly, from painting it? Surely you've painted smaller miniatures!? I had a lot of fun with it - I hope you will too

 

Thanks a lot for the pics, great characters by the way . You can also see the difference in the legs, the old librarian looks quite skinny besides any of the three!

It is interesting to see how GW is making bigger marines each time, no wonder they got changed to a larger base...

Sure thing, buddy! Yeah, that 32mm basing upgrade was really necessary. Remember even terminators were based on 25mm during the 90s!

Edited April 16, 2017 by Augustus b'Raass

[Mitsman]

Hahaha Augustus, I probably will. I try to paint all of my backlog psyckers as they are the most prevalent characters in all of my lists since 2nd edition. Even in early 3rd with just smite, I loved them. I still have a metal one with axe, jump pack and storm shield from those times. 4 already painted and another 3 to go including him.

The thing though that inspires me most from your plog is the airbrushed stuff. This actually made me take my airbrush out today and go for the Land speeder Tempest I neglected for a long time...

 

Mitsman

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent work on the Centurions and the Librarian. I also like the biographies you wrote for them.

[Mechanist]

Daeno Kho is looking great alongside his escort and his fluff is simple yet elegant.

I hope they perform well for you on the field. 

 

[Augustus b'Raass]

If a cat were the inspiration to paint librarians, then the cat's out of the bag. As I stated earlier, I went on a bit of a librarian-buying spree a while back. They've been all neatly stored in a blister pack in the box that says 'Imperial Fists' for months now, waiting for my getting inspired to paint them. That is now happening. So I build two more of them:

 

First up is the second metal Librarian I bought, the twin of the one with the force staff. I wanted to keep this guy similarly simple like his bro, as I have another unit of Centurions coming up and I'm a stickler for continuity. ;)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpsoput8tvy.jpg

 

Second is a conversion of the Deathwatch Librarian from the deathwatch game. Originally that miniature is from a Blood Angels successor, so I used some etched brass to mask the blood drops and the =][= iconography. I gave him a banner, as I see him as young and impetuous - perhaps preferring to lead from the front, joining assault squads etc. Hmmm, as I'm writing this, I got the idea of magnetizing his back pack, so that I could switch it out for a Jump Pack perhaps. Would that be cool?

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Imperial%20Fists/temporary_zpskh1tdgoz.jpg

 

Let me know what you think, and if I should get the second guy a Jump Pack or not?!
 

Replies!
 

@ Mitsman: Great to hear that you're inspired by what I share here! You made my day, buddy - I cant ask for a better compliment. :) About the airbrush - the libby is also airbrushed. The blue has a slight zenithal highlight, and of course his Imperial Fists left shoulder has it. :) In fact, I don't think I paint without the airbrush anymore! I'm looking forward to your speeder. Do you have a plog somehwere?

 

@ Bjorn Firewalker: Thanks! Glad you like the little pieces of fluff I write for them. 

 

@ Mechanist: Cheers, mate! I hope so too! :tu:

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

Great work on the Librarian, the blue is very nice, looks really striking in amongst the yellow! I really like how you are bringing back the classic models!

 

Really impressed with your airbrush/painting advice post too - could have done with that a few years ago! Pretty much how I do my stuff, having my man cave garage makes all the difference!!

[Race Bannon]

Love the wreath on the pack :tu:

 

I mean, the whole model is great, but the wreath was a great touch.

[rednekkboss]

I have 3-4 older metal characters and have noticed the height difference too. With my armies (which are always tongue in cheek anyways) it usually means they have "Napolean's/ Little Man's Syndrome" and are trying to make up for it by being jerks. :)   He looks great though!

[Midnightmare]

Like to see the oop Librarians being used, and I must say I love the shot of the painted dude with the Centurions - makes them look massive!! Great painting on all (as ever!) and my faves of your recent work is the Caterphractii , they look beastmode :tu:

 

Well done on the tournie win too btw, great to see such awesome looking models seeing proper use :)

[Augustus b'Raass]

When I was writing the post in which I display my most recent librarian, I already made the reference to the epic scene from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I'm quite in love with the librarian at the moment, and can't stop going back to it. He just invokes a profound sense of 2^nd Edition, 90's hobby nostalgia in me. And then I realized I actually had the -almost-  perfect Games Workshop miniature to reenact the scene! And even though I have to work hard on a training/presentation I need to give tomorrow, I had to make these pictures:

 

YOU... SHALL NOT.... PASS!!!!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Hobby/temporary_zpss1ebjibe.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Hobby/temporary_zpsbe7s1jyc.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Hobby/temporary_zpsqmetuusm.jpg

 

So yeah, I had fun. I hope the pictures put a smile on your face, too!

 

Replies!

 

@ Lord Commander Eidolon: Thanks, buddy! The classics are the greatest - despite the small scale! I'm glad the tips'n'tricks post was useful to you. 

 

@ Race Bannon: Cheers! I'm glad you noticed it - it was a bit of a spur of the moment thing, really. I saw it in my bits box, and my mind instantly connected it to the backpack somehow. So my hands did the same, with a bit of help from the plastic cement bottle.

 

@ rednekkboss: HAhaha - I'm glad you recognized the reference in his fluff there, too. The guy who he's named after isn't one, though (despite his napoleonesque stature)

 

@ Midnight Runner: They ARE massive. Especially in comparison with this 25mm scale miniature, but even compared to the 32mm marines, they're huuge. 

Edited April 17, 2017 by Augustus b'Raass

[Lexicanum]

Hey Augustus!

 

I've been reading the last few pages of the thread and your work is stunning! I really appreciated the pictures you posted of your hobby space, and the guide for painting quickly.

 

Forgive me if this has been asked or shared before, but how do you store your miniatures? I can only imagine you have a sizeable army if you can paint this quickly.

[Biohazard]

New librarians are looking great but I absolutely LOVE the LotR inspired pics.

 

Bravo sir! :D

Edited April 17, 2017 by Biohazard

[Mitsman]

Hey Augustus,

 

I have been on the same Librarian painting spree for the last year or so. I want to continue with the terminator armour one from Space Hulk (Ultramarinised of course) and I have ordered the same Deathwatch plastic one you are painting at the moment. After they are done I will only miss one on a bike. About my blog, yeah I have a link in my signature, the speeder wip is in the very last page on the end. Be cautious I am a rookie on airbrushing...

 

Mitsman

[Midnightmare]

Woah....that's ace. I will be honest, I don't fancy his chances!!